New interceptor boat for patrolling Bengal, Odisha coast

The Indian Coast Guard has commissioned an Interceptor Boat (IB) for close-coast patrolling along the Odisha and West Bengal coast, a defence ministry release said Friday.

Odisha Chief Secretary Jugal Kishore Mahapatra commissioned the new vessel Thursday.

The vessel - IB C-426 - is commanded by Deputy Commandant Tarun Dutt Pandey and has a crew of one officer and 11 personnel.

It will be based at Odisha's Paradip port under the administrative and operational control of the commander, Coast Guard Region (northeast).

The 28-metre-long vessel displaces 90 tonnes and can achieve a maximum speed of 45 knots, with an endurance of 500 nautical miles at an economical speed of 25 knots.

Equipped with state-of-the-art navigation and communication equipment and medium range armament, it makes an ideal platform for undertaking high-speed interception, close-coast patrol, low intensity maritime operations, search and rescue, medical evacuation and maritime surveillance, the release said.